Ever been to a carnival? Imagine you have cotton candy in one hand and a massive turkey leg in the other? That turkey leg is delicious, smoky, sweet and tangy. If you are like me then you are double fisting two turkey legs instead… So why not make this BBQ Turkey Leg for Thanksgiving? Well, I am here to help. Try out my new BBQ Turkey Legs recipe below. Make sure to read my tips before cooking:
Grilled turkey legs are a classic summertime treat that can often be found at fairs, carnivals, and cookouts. Their smoky, sweet flavor is irresistible. But to achieve the best results when making them at home, it’s important to know how long to boil the turkey legs before tossing them on the grill.
Properly boiling the legs first ensures they will be fully cooked, tender, and juicy when finished grilling. It also allows seasoning and aromatics to permeate deep into the meat. I’ll explain everything you need to know about pre-boiling for grilling success.
Why Pre-Boil Turkey Legs Before Grilling
There are a few key reasons to always parboil turkey legs before throwing them on the grill:
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Cooks the insides thoroughly: Grilling alone may lead to legs that are burnt on the outside but still undercooked and raw on the inside. Pre-boiling cooks the meat partially so less grill time is needed.
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Infuses more flavor: Submerging the legs in a seasoned liquid lets spices, herbs, and aromatics penetrate deep into the meat for enhanced flavor.
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Prevents drying out: Grilling’s intense dry heat can lead to dried out turkey if not parboiled first. Pre-cooking keeps the meat juicier.
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Saves time: Since the legs are partially cooked already, grilling goes quicker and more evenly. No more over-charring outsides!
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Tenderizes The moist heat tenderizes the turkey and starts breaking down collagen for a tender texture
How Long Should You Boil Turkey Legs?
The boiling time can range quite a bit based on the size and thickness of the legs, from 30 minutes up to 1.5 hours or more. Some general guidelines:
- Small turkey legs: 30-45 minutes
- Medium-sized turkey legs: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Large, thick turkey legs: 1-1.5 hours
For the juiciest, most tender results I recommend boiling for at least 1 hour before grilling. This ensures the middle cooks through fully while still keeping the meat nice and moist.
If you want fall-off-the-bone texture, boil for 15-2 hours. But they may become too delicate to handle or grill well
Checking Doneness After Boiling Turkey Legs
With an irregularly shaped cut like turkey legs, it can be hard to know when they’re done boiling. Here are some surefire ways to test doneness:
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Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F when fully cooked.
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Insert a skewer or thin knife into the thickest part of the meat. It should slide in easily with no resistance.
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Try gently picking up one leg with tongs. If the meat starts separating from the bone, it’s ready.
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Check that the leg joints wiggle freely and loosely when moved.
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Visually, the ends of the bones may start to show as the meat shrinks back slightly.
Checking temperature is the most reliable doneness indicator. When in doubt, go by temperature!
Seasoning and Flavoring the Boiling Liquid
Pre-boiling lets you infuse tons of flavor right into the meat. Consider adding these ingredients to the boiling water:
- Herbs – rosemary, thyme, sage, marjoram
- Spices – garlic, peppercorns, chili flakes
- Aromatics – onion, celery, carrot, garlic
- Acid – lemon, lime, orange juice
- Soy sauce, Worcestershire
- Wine, beer, broth, cider
Get creative with your own signature flavors! The seasoned boiling liquid can also be used to make sauces.
Grilling Process After Boiling Turkey Legs
Once boiled to perfection, follow these steps to finish on the grill:
- Dry legs thoroughly with paper towels.
- Coat with oil or dry rub seasoning.
- Grill over medium heat, turning occasionally until browned and heated through.
- Move to indirect heat if they start to char too quickly.
- Brush with glaze or oil if they appear dry.
- Grill until internal temperature reaches 165°F again.
Since they’re already fully cooked, the legs just need a quick sear on the grill to develop color and enhance flavor.
Juicy, Tender Grilled Turkey Legs Are Worth the Wait!
DO I NEED TO BRINE THE TURKEY LEGS?
While the BBQ Turkey Legs take only 2.5-3 hours to cook, the biggest part of the process is the brining. I recommend at least 4 hours of brining the meat, but if you can do 12 hours or more then that is best. Overall, brining will flavor the meat throughout while helping it cook evenly. Don’t miss this step or you will be missing out on flavor!
WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD I COOK AT?
Keeping your grill at a constant 250-275F is my recommendation. You can definitely smoke it at 225F, but I like a little more caramelization on the meat. I also highly recommend using the PitBarrel smoker for this cook. Not only does is enhance the smoky flavor of the BBQ Turkey Legs, but it is able to keep a steady and consistent temperature for cooking the turkey legs. Definitely a must have grill for the holidays.
Smoked Turkey Legs Recipe
FAQ
How long does it take to boil a turkey leg?
- Place the turkey legs in a large stockpot. …
- Cover the drumsticks with water or chicken broth. …
- Season the water or broth. …
- Boil the turkey legs for about 60 minutes. …
- Drain the turkey legs and let them cool. …
- Remove the skin and pick off the meat.
How long to boil chicken legs before grilling?
Cook for about 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Internal temperature should be 165 when using a meat thermometer.Nov 16, 2022
How long should you cook a turkey leg for?
… turkey is extremely tender and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part without touching bone registers at least 165ºF, 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hoursNov 17, 2024
How long to boil turkey for?
Allow the turkey to cook in the pot. Cook times range from 45-55 minutes for a 12-13 pound bird to one hour-one hour and 15 minutes. for a 15-18 pound turkey.Nov 12, 2015
How long does it take to cook turkey legs on a grill?
The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the turkey legs. As a general guideline, it usually takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour to cook turkey legs on the grill. However, it is important to use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked.
How do you prepare turkey legs before grilling?
Below are the steps needed to prep your turkey legs before grilling. Wet brining your turkey legs involves submerging the drumsticks in saltwater and placing them in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours. Brining will soften the turkey meat, ensuring it takes less time to grill.
Can You Grill turkey legs on a gas grill?
Start Grilling: After searing your turkey legs, move them to the unlit part of your gas grill or the part without coals in your charcoal grill. Doing this will allow you to grill your drumsticks with indirect heat and prevent turkey legs that are burned on the outside but raw on the inside.
How long do turkey legs take to cook?
Depending on the size of your turkey legs, cook times may vary. Each of my turkey legs were over 2 lbs so they took a bit longer to cook. If your turkey legs are smaller in size, they may take less time. Start checking the temperature after 1 hour.
How long do you let turkey legs rest before cooking?
The turkey legs are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Once cooked, it’s essential to let the turkey legs rest before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender and juicy meat. Cover the turkey legs loosely with foil and let them rest for about 5-10 minutes.
How do I choose the best turkey legs for grilling?
When it comes to grilling turkey legs, selecting the right ones is crucial. Look for turkey legs that are fresh, plump, and have a nice pink color. Make sure they are properly thawed before grilling to ensure even cooking throughout. If you want to add an extra layer of flavor, you can marinate the turkey legs overnight in your favorite marinade.